September 4, 2012

Bangkok: My City

We arrived in Bangkok on Saturday morning, but unfortunately we brought with us the nasty flu! A lot of the passengers on the flight were in the same situation because there were lots of coughs and sneezes. This was no surprise as Australia had been wet and cold this winter. Anyway, hopefully we are on the mend and will shake this nasty flu off in a couple of days. 

In Bangkok I booked into the Rembrandt Hotel off Sukumvit Rd. Bangkok is my city, I know the layout of the city well, but of course lots of new buildings and new transport systems have changed in the past 30 years. I hardly recognised the landmarks of Bangkok I used to once know. The change is not all for the better, but to be able to cater for 7.5 million people living in Bangkok  something had to be done. 


The Bangkok skyline of course is not what I used to know, even though I have been back many times in the past 30 years, but everytime I get back to Bangkok the city seems to be reaching higher into the sky. The above photo is the view from my hotel. Bangkok is moving into the rainy season so it's cooler and less humid which I'm happy about. 


This is the Sunday traffic. The traffic was hardly moving in some busy streets. Nothing has changed since 30 years ago when I lived here. What is new here are the bright pink taxis. They used to be dirty yellow and now they are mostly pink. 


I was pleasantly surprised to find that classical Thai music instruments are still being used. We came across a classical band playing in the local mall. A young singer was singing a traditional song. It was a song of my parents' era. It was great experience to see them today.


You know I always look out for beauty. Thailand is well known for the beautiful orchids. The orchid is Thailand's national flower. They use them very wisely for decorations or offering at temples etc. The purple orchids on the left were decorations at the airport. The white orchids I found in my hotel.


In the hotel fruit and flowers are cleverly used for decoration. In the above photos I found in the dining room the fruit are delicately crafted and arranged in an artistic way. It is a Thai tradition to use what is available to decorate with. In the lower photo above there is cumin; a Thai herb used in Thai curry paste. It gives a beautiful and rich yellow colour.


Colour and natural dye! Yes, I was planning to dye while I'm here with whatever I can find that is suitable to dye with. I brought with me some silk pieces. On the first day after I had green tea I saved the teabag and spread the content of the tea on the silk wrapping it tightly with a rubber band. When I went for breakfast I found a cumnin root so I brought it back with me for dyeing. I cut the cumin root thinly and laid it on the silk. I brought a few rusty soda caps to use as mordant. I put both bundles in plastic bags and into the ice bucket . I then filled the bucket with hot water. I put the lid on the bucket and left it sitting. I changed water a few times in the last two days. I can already see that the colour has changed on the silk!


My family live out in the suburbs of Bangkok. We saw my family on the first day. It was great to spend sometime with them. My nephews are all grown and have children of their own as well. Last night we felt almost normal so we ventured out to enjoy a couple of drinks. Sadly to say we woke up this morning with the same stuffy flu feeling again!


A pina colada in my hand down in the hotel lounge. I really like the Rembrandt hotel. I particulary like the lobby area. Most city hotels are very tight with their lobby space, but this one is very spacious with a high celing. We enjoy sitting there. 

Okay guys, will try and post a few more times while we are here. I hope I can blog with a bit more energy next time. Hope all is well with everyone. Do enjoy whatever you are doing. 

Until next time
Nat


20 comments:

Sue said...

Thank you Nat, for the photos of the city. And please, let us know how the dyestuffs turn out.

Françoise said...

Have a nice time! I hope this bad flu goes away quickly.

deanna7trees said...

no fun to be sick when traveling. love seeing the sights of the city. so many beautiful colors. enjoy.

Kim said...

Oh no! So sorry you are sick.
How come you look so terrific when you don't feel well?

I can't wait to see more of your adventures :0).
I hope house keeping doesn't throw
away your dying in the ice bucket.....too funny.

Happy Sewing and safe travels

Simone de Klerk said...

Oh Nat, it must be great to be back. You give a wonderful impression! Enjoy your trip.

Sand and Sunshine said...

Wow, the orchids are amazing and to see them happily blooming like that to boot. Hopefully the flu crud will clear up and everyone can enjoy each other's company. Looking forward to see your vacation dyed silks. :-)

Penny said...

Flu or no flu you look lovely sitting in that hotel lobby, lovely photos, enjoy.

ParisMaddy said...

Your pictures are a tantalizing treat to tired eyes. What spectacular color in Bangkok.

So sorry about your flu. What a miserable time to get sick on such a long trip. Sending happy get well thoughts your way.

I just bought a new Fossil purse and... do I see a new one by your side, too, in your Pina Colada picture?

Hugs and kisses.
..¸(`'•.¸(`'•.¸¸.•'´)¸.• '´)¸..
«•*¨` * ~ Madeline ~ * ´¨*•» « ☆¸.•°*”˜˜”*°•.¸☆ ★ ☆¸.•°*”˜˜”*°•.¸☆ »
..´(¸.•'´(¸.•'´`'•.¸)`'• .¸)`.

Queen Of The Armchair aka Dzintra Stitcheries said...

Hey Nat what a great post...I love to see what you are doing! Trust you to do some dying while there ha ha! Enjoy that pina colada and hope you get better soon xo

Queen Of The Armchair aka Dzintra Stitcheries said...

Hey Nat what a great post...I love to see what you are doing! Trust you to do some dying while there ha ha! Enjoy that pina colada and hope you get better soon xo

Nedra said...

What a wonderful tour you are providing for us. The fruit and veggie artwork is impressive.
I hope you are feeling better soon, and able to enjoy all of the wonderful sights with family.

blandina said...

I have benn once to Bangkok and I hope to go back in the future.
What an exciting city

Anne-Lise at Rag, Tag, Bobtail said...

Lovely photos, Nat. I hope you feel better soon. Enjoy your stay.

Peggy said...

Loved reading this and hope you have a great visit, Nat. Your photos are great and I like reading where and what you're up to. Wishing you perfect health the rest of the trip. xo

MulticoloredPieces said...

Hi, Nat. I enjoyed seeing Bangkok through your eyes. Also found your Bojagi very beautiful-- simple and elegant.
best, nadia

Nat Palaskas said...

Sorry everyone I have to turn on word verification because I started to get too many spam comments lately... Thanks

Jacky said...

Hi Nat, so lovely to see your photos from Bangkok, reminders of my trip with Lee last year (I love your country, Thailand and it's people are so beautiful).
One of my favourite parts of our trip was visiting Jim Thompsons home...and the food at the restaurant was so nice!!!!
Looking forward to more photos...if you have time while in Chiang Mai try and get to the Chedi for High Tea (I'm sure Mr. Nat will enjoy that). Then you can see where Lee and I spent most of our time in Chiang Mai. Lucky, lucky you...wish I was there too.

Jacky xox

Lis Harwood said...

Hi Nat
I hope you are feeling a lot better and enjoying your trip home. It is lovely to see your photos of Bangkok, those orchids, wow. I laughed to read that you are dyeing while there, when are you ever not dyeing?!! I hope the maid doesn't empty your ice bucket! Enjoy and I look forward to seeing more.

Hoola Tallulah said...

Hope you're feeling better soon :(
Your photos are wonderful!

Judy said...

Hi Nat!
Sorry you've had the flu while visiting your homeland.
I hope you are all recovered by the time you read this.

I really enjoyed seeing your photos of Bangkok, and the lovely orchids. I was only 20 when I visited your homeland, and I was too young and immature to really appreciate the beauty. I should go back for another look! I had totally forgotten the orchids until I saw your beautiful photographs.

I'm impressed that you are eco-dyeing on your trip....but what else would I expect??? LOL!!! I can't wait to see your results!

Have a wonderful trip and a safe journey home.

xxoo,
Judy

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